Bridging the Cognitive Digital Divide: A Prototype-Based Interven-tion for Elderly Learners in South Korea†

The acceleration of digital transformation across public and private sectors has exacerbated disparities in digital literacy, particularly among older adults who face cognitive, sensory, and technological barriers to effective engagement. In South Korea—despite widespread smartphone ownership among the elderly—digital proficiency remains disproportionately low, underscoring the inadequacy of current accessibility-focused interventions and the pressing need for cognitively and perceptually attuned digital education frameworks. This study examines the effectiveness of Ee Eum, a prototype digital literacy intervention specifically designed for adults aged 65 and older, integrating user-centered interface design principles with tiered educational scaffolding. A sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Initial qualitative inquiry through focus group and individual interviews (n = 30) identified key usability obstacles and content needs. This was followed by a series of controlled usability experiments (n = 31), including A/B testing of visual variables (e.g., contrast ratio, font size) and First Click Tests to evaluate interface navigability and perceptual clarity. Results demonstrated that high-contrast color combinations (e.g., yellow text on blue backgrounds) and enlarged text sizes (25–28pt) significantly improved legibility and reduced cognitive load. The inclusion of visual affordances in user interface elements led to substantial gains in navigational accuracy, with First Click Test performance increasing from 39.79% to 86.02% when target areas were visually emphasized. These findings provide empirical support for the role of perceptually optimized interface design in enhancing digital accessibility for older adults. The Ee Eum prototype offers a replicable framework for inclusive UI/UX development and contributes to ongoing discourse in gerontechnology, digital equity, and human-centered aging policy.